My son and I are planning a 7-9 day trip together this coming May. I am going to let him help plan the trip. He is a bright, very active and successful college student with a "get up and go" attitude. He travels well, but bores easily with Mom's idea of a good time. I can get some major sights/museums in, but I have to plan/pace it to include things a young man would enjoy. He loved London and Paris when he was younger, and spent a month in Europe with 22 kids at the end of high school, with great success. This time, he'll just be with Mom so I am a bit worried and want our time together to be as successful as possible. Any trip ideas?

Hello isabella, a trip with your son, priceless! Has your son expressed any interest as to where he would like to visit in Europe? It is hard to suggest anywhere without knowing what his and of course your interest are. Have you two talked about say Italy or Amsterdam and the Netherlands? When he went with the trip to Europe with his classmates has he expressed a desire to return to somewhere that they visited to explore it further?

It sounds like your son is doing well inspite of his ad/hd. That is wonderful. More information, his interests and yours would no doubt bring forth some great suggestions. And just a thought, perhaps you don't both have to be "joined at the hip" every moment of your trip. You go to a museum and he wanders around sightseeing and also enjoys sitting at a cafe for example. Best regards.

Personally,I think that Italy would be the perfect vacation spot for you and your son. Both of my kids (25 and 27) have loved Italy for years and they NEVER get tired of going there.It has everything from countryside to great cities;history;great food and wine;shopping-something for everyone!

I would offer you to go to Australia.....Europe is not good to travel with the mom))))

This would probably be too difficult or expensive to arrange, but Africa is really so impressive for young people. We took my son on a week long safari, although he was a bit younger, and it was life changing for him.

The reason I think of it for your son, although it might be just the wrong thing, is that on a safari you are with a group, and you get up and go out looking for animals all day, just returning to the lodge for meals.

The driver or guide is in charge, and there are very few decisions you can make on your own. As a result, there were no arguments between the kids and parents, and the kids looked up to the guides who were very helpful and friendly with the younger tourists.

Are you only targeting Europe? I would think, depending on where you are starting from, New York or San Francisco would have plenty of things to interest a young man. And in either case you could add on another location if you wanted to.

Personally, I think you are approaching this all too seriously, and that you should just make your plans with the idea that you may need to be a bit flexible...